Skip to main content

Planting Seeds

Matthew 16:20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Earlier in verse 16, Peter recognizes Jesus as the Christ.  Jesus tells Peter that he knows this truth because it has been revealed to him by God.  At the end of the conversation Jesus warns them to not tell anyone who He is.  Why would Jesus do that?  I think it was partially due to the fact that the disciples didn't have a complete understanding of what Jesus' calling was. They needed time with Him to deepen their personal relationships with Him so that when they were sent to spread the good news, they would have deeper understanding and a heart connection to the Messiah.  Jesus also knew of the need for God to reveal who He was at the right time.  I believe these are still true today.  Before we start telling others of Jesus, we have to have that personal relationship with Him so that we know who He is with our heads and have that deep connection with him in our hearts.  And, timing matters.  No matter how loud or often you tell others about Jesus, if the ear is not ready to hear, it won't.  I'm not saying we shouldn't share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in case someone isn't ready to hear it.  Planting seeds is an important part of our faith walk.  We just have to remember that God is who reveals His Son to people.  Our job is to share our relationship and the good news of Jesus with others, which plants the seed, but ultimately it is God who reveals to the heart who Jesus truly is.  Jesus, the Son of Man, is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  He who has an ear, let him hear. --Revelation 13:9

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mercy and Compassion

Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. This is something I have struggles with, loving those who frustrate me.  How can we be merciful to those who are "corrupt" without being judgmental?  It is definitely not our place to judge one another, it is our place to love one another.  Sometimes loving the people who are rude or cruel is the hardest part of being a Christian.  My humanity would like to judge people for their behaviors and choices and lash out at them.  I believe we are only able to show true mercy and compassion for others when we accept these for ourselves from Jesus and then He lives them through us.  Allowing God to change our hearts in order that Jesus' mercy and compassion shine through is a journey.  It's not always easy.  On those difficult days, I remain quiet and ask God to love on me, so I...
2 comments
Read more

Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.  Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord. This is God's word through Ezekiel in the Valley of the Dry Bones.  There are a couple of thoughts that come to mind with this verse.  First, I have to admit that sometimes I feel as though I have dry bones.  I continue on my path and lose sight of the One who brings life. At times I am surrounded by things, people, or situations that suck the life out of me and I need the breath of life from the Spirit again.  It is a conscious effort for me to not involve myself in things that are life taking.  I make the decision to spend alone time with Jesus in order to experience His life giving power.  Second, one word in particular stands out to me in this verse.  It is the word settle.  It is speaking to me today of a peace and calm that is ahead.  Things ha...
1 comment
Read more

Surrender in the Struggle

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. Today I am bogged down by all of the little things that I am waiting for in my life.  I am disappointed in the way some things have gone and I am looking for a word of hope in what I know about God's will.  This verse is a good reminder for me that God is in the midst of the trial and that there is purpose in the struggle.  The soul growth that comes from the struggle is deeper than any other.  We must come to God in those times and it forces us to look at Him directly.  We can waste our time trying to find ways that we can step in and make God's will happen,  but if we make it happen, then it truly isn't God's will.  It very quickly becomes our will.  I must be reminded of God's plan and purpose for my life and then ask God not to abandon me when I take over.  I must surrender in the struggle.  It is God's ...
Post a Comment
Read more